this is bbc news — welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. i'm anita mcveigh. our top stories: iran has executed british—iranian dual national alireza akbari on charges of spying for the uk — which he had denied. britain's prime minister calls it a �*callous and cowardly act'. the uk has confirmed it will provide challenger 2 tanks to ukraine during a call with president volodymyr zelensky. it comes as russian forces launched a series of missile attacks across the country. climate activist greta thunberg joins protesters in the german village of lutzerath, as police try to clear the area to make way for coal—mining. what happens in lutzerath doesn't stay in lutzerath.

germany, as one of the biggest polluters in the world, has an enormous responsibility. brazil's supreme court will investigate the role of the former president, jair bolsonaro, in the storming of government buildings by his supporters last weekend. takeaways, restaurants, and cafes in england will have to stop using plastic cutlery, plates, and bowls from october as part of a new government plan to tackle plastic pollution. hello and welcome. iran has executed a british—iranian man on charges of spying for the uk. alireza akbari, who was iran's deputy defence minister, was detained in 2019. he'd denied passing sensitive

information to the british government, and said he was forced to confess after being tortured. our diplomatic correspondent, caroline hawley, reports. news of the execution came on state—run television early this morning despite repeated last—minute appeals from the uk. alireza akbari is thought to have acquired british citizenship after investing here and to have lived in the country his brother told bbc persia he had been enticed back to iran by his former boss under whom he once served as deputy defence minister. the prime minister responded swiftly, saying he was appalled by a callous act carried out by a barbaric regime with no respect for human rights. on thursday, state—run media in iran aired a lengthy, heavily edited video featuring alireza akbari in which he appears to confess to working for britain. but in an audio recording obtained by bbc persian last week, he speaks of the pressure he was put under and accuses iran of seeking

to take revenge on the uk. they tortured me for 3,500 hours, they broke my will, drove me to madness and forced me to do whatever they wanted to. for the past few months, iran has been convulsed by protests, sparked by the death of a young woman in police custody, mahsa amini. britain has imposed sanctions on the so—called morality police who arrested her for supposedly not wearing her hijab properly. it's also preparing to declare iran's powerful revolutionary guard corps a terrorist organisation. the execution carries a message both to the uk and within iran, where it may also be part of an internal power struggle. the iranian regime is passing a clear message to those who work inside iran and even those who work for the government. inside iran and even those who work for the government. no one is safe. it is institutional revenge and a way to intimidate all those who can make a move, who want to change things inside iran. but no reform is possible

inside the islamic republic of iran. whatever the exact motive, his execution is a dramatic new low in an already tense relationship between iran and the uk, which is now weighing its response. caroline hawley, bbc news. let's speak to the uk's former foreign office minister alistair burt. thank you very much forjoining us. beyond the combination of this, what more can the uk do? the beyond the combination of this, what more can the uk do?— beyond the combination of this, what more can the uk do? the uk sanctions are limited by — more can the uk do? the uk sanctions are limited by the _ more can the uk do? the uk sanctions are limited by the circumstances - more can the uk do? the uk sanctions are limited by the circumstances in - are limited by the circumstances in which the uk and iran are in at present. the combination is very serious. the language being used by the prime minister and the foreign secretary is at the top end of what you would expect in any relationship between states which continues with diplomatic relationships. using the

words of my barrick regime is very clear and demonstrates the strength of feeling that there is in the british government about what has happened. i will also expect that there will be further actions, i believe further sanction has already been announced against the chief prosecutor. and i think the uk will be weighing very carefully what else it might do. but there will be a response to this a firm response to this, i am sure about that.- response to this a firm response to this, i am sure about that. some are callin: for this, i am sure about that. some are calling for the _ this, i am sure about that. some are calling for the uk _ this, i am sure about that. some are calling for the uk to _ this, i am sure about that. some are calling for the uk to remove - calling for the uk to remove diplomatic representation. talk as to what your thoughts on that. this is not always _ to what your thoughts on that. this is not always as _ to what your thoughts on that. ti 3 is not always as easy as it sounds. i have been involved in this, i was the middle east minister when the iranian ambassador was removed from the united kingdom in 2011 following an attack on the embassy. the moment that you end diplomatic relations, firstly you have to consider what assistance you are giving to uk

citizens and dual nationals that will still be in iran, what protection you will get to them. there will be other independent interest in a round that looks to the united kingdom for support and help, that wouldn't be there. because if we expel the iranian ambassador and diplomatic representation, iran would do the same to the uk. so you have to consider that. then you have to consider, underwhat consider that. then you have to consider, under what circumstances you would bring it back. 0nce consider, under what circumstances you would bring it back. once you stop to it, you have to think about how you would do it. so there are other ways and i am sure the uk will be working with its allies in the region as well as western allies about the best way forward to indicate around that this is a process which is only going to lead to further estrangement and isolation of iran at a time when it must want to come back to some degree to the international order. so working with other countries, what could that mean? and secondly what could that mean? and secondly what concerns do you have four other uk nationals or dual citizens who are currently in iran? the uk nationals or dual citizens who are currently in iran?—

are currently in iran? the uk has made it clear _ are currently in iran? the uk has made it clear for _ are currently in iran? the uk has made it clear for a _ are currently in iran? the uk has made it clear for a considerable l made it clearfor a considerable period of time there any uk jewel national is at risk and very vulnerable. in iran and can be seized at any time by this regime. that certainly has been made my pointedly clear by what has happened to alireza akbari and we must remember him. this is notjust about the diplomatic arrangements, this is about him and his family and it is an appalling tragedy for the family. for others in iran, it will be a time of extreme worry and anxiety. iran is not a comfortable country, the resume is faced by internal threat, it is very keen to try and suggest that anything is happening on the streets is inspired by those outside iran, this is not true. but this execution may be part of that message that it is trying to convey to their own people. it is a very difficult and worrying time but there are others who are working to try and find a way forward with iran, with those who want to see a

different relation with other states in the region and it is extremely difficult because the security regime in charge of iran seems to want nothing further than to provoke further confrontation. it is essential to continue talking to avoid what the consequences of that would be. . ~ avoid what the consequences of that would be. ., ~ ., _, ., , would be. talking to colleagues earlier from _ would be. talking to colleagues earlier from bbc _ would be. talking to colleagues earlier from bbc persian - would be. talking to colleagues earlier from bbc persian that i would be. talking to colleagues. earlier from bbc persian that the would be. talking to colleagues - earlier from bbc persian that the uk my ad to the revolutionary guard corps to a list of banned organisations, banned terrorist organisations, banned terrorist organisations, do you think this organisations, do you think this organisation is designed to bring —— execution is designed to bring some influence to that. i execution is designed to bring some influence to that.— influence to that. i think the uk will make up — influence to that. i think the uk will make up its _ influence to that. i think the uk will make up its own _ influence to that. i think the uk will make up its own decision, i will make up its own decision, it cannot possibly be influenced against the decision it would make ljy against the decision it would make by the actions that iran has taken. iran always seeks to find an excuse for its own action by blaming some activity of others is something that they want to do for their own purposes. this would appear to be no

different to that. iran has got to find a different way forward, this is not going to advance peace and security in the region or the relation that many in iran want to have with the rest of the world. iran is not solely to resume, as we have seen by the bravery of many people in recent months.- have seen by the bravery of many people in recent months. thank you very much- — people in recent months. thank you very much- the _ people in recent months. thank you very much. the former— people in recent months. thank you very much. the former foreign - people in recent months. thank you | very much. the former foreign office minister in the uk. rishi sunak has confirmed in a call with president zelensky this morning that the uk will send tanks to ukraine. the bbc understands the initail commitment is for around a dozen challenger 2 tanks. here's our political correspondent, david wallace lockhart, on how significant this is: number ten had been making it clear that they wanted to step up support to ukraine and that tanks could play a pivotal role in all this. this morning, a call between rishi sunak and volodymyr zelensky and the confirmation came out of that. i understand, as you said, we are talking about initially around a dozen challenger 2 tanks.

let's remember initially in this conflict, the uk's military support was all about defensive support. now, number ten would say they still consider this defensive, it is about ukraine defending its territory that russia has come into but it is a significant step up. that being said, though, we are talking around 12 tanks, we know ukraine think they need around 300 tanks to make a difference. although the uk is the first nato country to make a commitment, more will have to be done. we know that poland would like to send tanks but they need german approval for re—export which they have not had yet. ukraine will also hope that the usa will see this and make some sort of contribution of its own. so if other countries do follow the uk's example, then perhaps ukraine will start to get somewhere in the numbers it is looking for. we arejust seeing we are just seeing according to reports from ukraine and in

particular from reports from ukraine and in particularfrom the reports from ukraine and in particular from the region of dnipro, the governor of that region has saying that at least five people have died after a russian missile strike in a residential building. saying that 27 people have been injured including six children. that is a developing line from ukraine coming into us in the last few moments. police in brazil have arrested the former head of public security, anderson torres, over accusations that he colluded in the storming of government buildings in brasilia last sunday. brazil's supreme court also says it investigate the role of the former president jair bolsonaro the riot. the violence was carried out by thousands of radical bolsonaro supporters who continue to claim that 0ctober�*s election was rigged. mr bolsonaro briefly posted a video questioning the legitimacy of the vote, which was won by his rival lula da silva. the bbc�*s world service americas editor leonardo rocha has more. this is a major step. what we have here is the prosecutors, they began an investigation on monday,

the attack on the presidential palace, congress and the supreme court took place on sunday. on monday — on sunday and monday, they changed the tone, the government's tone changed, and they opened an investigation. many other people are being investigated. businessmen, officials. the question was always — will it get to president bolsonaro? was he involved ? was there evidence? what happens now? prosecutors earlier today, they asked for president bolsonaro, the former president, to be included, and they said there was a video that he posted online, and took out straight after, in which he said the elections were rigged. and that, for him, the head of supreme court, who is also the head of the electoral commission, said by saying that the elections were rigged, without proof, he was committing a crime, he was attacking an institution, he was attacking the supreme court, and he was attacking brazilian democracy, which is safeguarded by the constitution.

china has admitted that there has been 60,000 covid—related deaths injust over a month, following the government's sudden decision to end strict pandemic controls. it's the first time beijing has acknowledged the much higher scale of fatalities caused by the covid wave sweeping the country. for weeks, officials have been reporting just a handful of deaths each day, figures that appeared inconsistent with the long queues at crematoriums. the operation to clear a site in germany that's been earmarked for new coal—mining — is in its fourth day. police have clashed with protesters near the village of lutzerath in the west of the country where the site for the coal mine is due to be. climate capaigner greta thunberg has visited the protestors saying, "germany is really embarrassing itself right now". here she is addressing the rally.

how is this possible? in the year 2023, how can we still be continuing down this path that we know leeds is nowhere? how is that possible? daniel freund is a german green party mep and is at the garzweiler mine. i'm also joined by volker stanzel. he's a retired diplomat and former sdp adviser, as well as the former german ambassador to japan and china. welcome to both of you. daniel, at the mine first of all, what is the mood like the?— the mine first of all, what is the mood like the? ., , , ., mood like the? there has been a full da of mood like the? there has been a full day of mostly — mood like the? there has been a full day of mostly peaceful _ mood like the? there has been a full day of mostly peaceful protest, - mood like the? there has been a full| day of mostly peaceful protest, many people are leaving now as the lighters coming down. 0bviously, people are leaving now as the lighters coming down. obviously, it is a shock to see this. the biggest environmental disaster in europe, the biggest source of c02. i am happy that ukraine managed to

accelerate the control, they are going out in 2013 twice as fast as what was initially planned.- what was initially planned. there was a green _ what was initially planned. there was a green minister— what was initially planned. there was a green minister and - what was initially planned. there was a green minister and the - was a green minister and the government in germany who announced that this would be happening, is one of our earlier contributors put it, to square the circle between green commitments by the german government and the need to have a reliable energy supply. the german government said this is needed in the short term, if this is a short—term action, is it acceptable at all in your view?— action, is it acceptable at all in our view? , ., ., ., your view? yes. i mean, we have to find majorities. _ your view? yes. i mean, we have to find majorities, democratic - find majorities, democratic majorities. green has 14% of the national and 18% here in the region and we were the only ones fighting against cole. if people want faster change the need to find the

majorities. in the meantime, we don't want to use russian gas or oil so for the next couple of years was renewable energy is really accelerate, this unfortunately is a price we pay. accelerate, this unfortunately is a price we pay-— accelerate, this unfortunately is a price we pay. does germany, given exlicit in price we pay. does germany, given explicit in europe, _ price we pay. does germany, given explicit in europe, does— price we pay. does germany, given explicit in europe, does not - price we pay. does germany, given explicit in europe, does not their . explicit in europe, does not their greater responsibility to not do something like this? to not open a coalmine? gear if you only look at the question of climate and the goal of 1.5% then i think you would be right. of 1.5% then i think you would be riuht. �* , of 1.596 then i think you would be riuht. �* , , . ., , right. but this is much more. this is also not — right. but this is much more. this is also not like _ right. but this is much more. this is also not like you _ right. but this is much more. this is also not like you have - right. but this is much more. this is also not like you have it - right. but this is much more. this is also not like you have it so - is also not like you have it so often — is also not like you have it so often at _ is also not like you have it so often at a _ is also not like you have it so often at a party, won six out of the opposition— often at a party, won six out of the opposition and shares power. this goes _ opposition and shares power. this goes much — opposition and shares power. this goes much further. this has to do with the _ goes much further. this has to do with the war in ukraine. because we want to— with the war in ukraine. because we want to have — with the war in ukraine. because we want to have sanctions effective enough — want to have sanctions effective enough that leads us to forgoing gas and oil— enough that leads us to forgoing gas and oil supplies from russia. we need _ and oil supplies from russia. we need to— and oil supplies from russia. we need to replace that. and how to

replace _ need to replace that. and how to replace that if not by coal and unfortunately the kind of cold germany mostly has is the most polluting — germany mostly has is the most polluting of all the kind of calls that you — polluting of all the kind of calls that you have. obviously we have to make _ that you have. obviously we have to make do _ that you have. obviously we have to make do with that kind of call for a time this — make do with that kind of call for a time. this contradicts the very reason — time. this contradicts the very reason for— time. this contradicts the very reason for the existence, the major reason _ reason for the existence, the major reason of— reason for the existence, the major reason of the existence of the green party— reason of the existence of the green party as— reason of the existence of the green party as such which is fighting for the climate and battling climate change — the climate and battling climate change. so it's not a wonder that we have this _ change. so it's not a wonder that we have this conflict in this fierceness as we see it now in lutzerath _ fierceness as we see it now in lutzerath-— lutzerath. does the german government _ lutzerath. does the german government have _ lutzerath. does the german government have any - lutzerath. does the german government have any plan | lutzerath. does the german | government have any plan to lutzerath. does the german - government have any plan to offset the carbon emissions that would be associated with this mine? of setting can only achieve so much but does it have any plan to try and do that? ~ _, , , ., that? well, the company in question is already trying _ that? well, the company in question is already trying to _ that? well, the company in question is already trying to offset _ that? well, the company in question is already trying to offset that - is already trying to offset that with the —

is already trying to offset that with the kind of technology that they use — with the kind of technology that they use. but obviously it will have a polluting — they use. but obviously it will have a polluting effect and the question is how— a polluting effect and the question is how far— a polluting effect and the question is how far can we tolerate that? the green party— is how far can we tolerate that? the green party and the government's failure _ green party and the government's failure and — green party and the government's failure and the company found a compromise. which meant that the company— compromise. which meant that the company will terminate using coal much _ company will terminate using coal much earlier than originally planned in 2030 _ much earlier than originally planned in 2030 instead of 2038. but it will use so _ in 2030 instead of 2038. but it will use so much more which is under this village _ use so much more which is under this village of— use so much more which is under this village of lutzerath. that is now being _ village of lutzerath. that is now being fought over. so, the conflict is there _ being fought over. so, the conflict is there. and it cannot be wished away, _ is there. and it cannot be wished away, there _ is there. and it cannot be wished away, there is no technology to get rid of _ away, there is no technology to get rid of it _ away, there is no technology to get rid of it it — away, there is no technology to get rid of it it is — away, there is no technology to get rid of it. it is something that has to he _ rid of it. it is something that has to he done — rid of it. it is something that has to be done if you want effective sanctions — to be done if you want effective sanctions against russia. let me 'ust brin: sanctions against russia. let me just bring in _ sanctions against russia. let me just bring in daniel— sanctions against russia. let me just bring in daniel again - sanctions against russia. let me just bring in daniel again at - sanctions against russia. let me just bring in daniel again at that| just bring in daniel again at that point, looking at the environmental

argument, of course, is massively important, but what do you make of what he is saying there, that this is something that has to be done if effective sanctions against russia to work? ., , ~ , effective sanctions against russia towork? ., , , to work? so, that is key basically for the next _ to work? so, that is key basically for the next years, _ to work? so, that is key basically for the next years, in _ to work? so, that is key basically for the next years, in the - to work? so, that is key basically - for the next years, in the meantime, on my right is the problem, on my left is the solution. we need windmills and solar as fast as possible. every windmill that goes up, starting tomorrow, will keep coal here in the ground. this mine earlier. so what we have to do is really accelerate the build—up of renewable energy and save the as much as we can say that we don't have to continue running this coal. so there is an independent on any one country from power supply and

energy supply. just briefly, what do you see the resolution of the situation they're in lutzerath being? situation they're in lutzerath bein: ? .,. situation they're in lutzerath beinu? ,., , situation they're in lutzerath beint? ,., , , situation they're in lutzerath beint? , , being? peaceful protest is good, the more people — being? peaceful protest is good, the more people go _ being? peaceful protest is good, the more people go out _ being? peaceful protest is good, the more people go out and _ being? peaceful protest is good, the| more people go out and demonstrate for the planet that's a good thing. the police is working to, you know, to free the village. and i fear, the coal will be dug up in the end. so thatis coal will be dug up in the end. so that is where things are going. daniel there and former adviser. thank you very much. some single—use plastics will be banned in england from october. takeaways, restaurants, and cafes will have to stop using plastic cutlery, plates, and bowls as part of a new plan by the government to tackle plastic pollution. sean dilley reports.

quick, convenient and no washing up — but from october, the government says it plans to ban restaurants and cafes in england from using some single—use plastics and polystyrenes. we've got a whole raft of measures on waste, trying to reduce waste in this country, and this new ban that we're announcing today is just one of a whole raft of measures to really tackle this issue. ministers are planning to ban single—use plastic trays, cutlery, in 2020, single—use plastic straws, cotton buds and stirrers were banned for sale and distribution. it's estimated that england uses 2.7 billion items of single—use cutlery each year and the majority are plastic. in 2020, plastic cutlery made it to the top—15 most littered items. england, though, is playing catch—up with other uk nations. wales approved similar measures last month — those come into effect later this year — and scotland introduced a similar ban lastjune. takeaway owners are concerned that new rules could add to their costs when bills are already high. campaigners welcome any move that

reduces our carbon footprint and reduces harmful greenhouse gases but, for some, the government's plans don't go far enough. we're second only to the us in how much plastic waste is produced per person. that means we're the second—biggest producers of plastic waste in the world, so we really need transformative change to happen. we need the government to be showing real ambition and taking the lead. we're actually looking for a 50% reduction in single—use packaging, which would lead to the kind of change we need to see. the proposed ban in england only applies to cafes and restaurants and not to single—use plastic packaging for food and drinks sold in supermarkets. the government says it's working on separate plans for these retailers to cover disposal costs from 202a. sean dilley, bbc news. let's turn now to the new second world war memorial focusing on some of the lesser known stories

from the war, including those of the thousands of caribbean service personnel who came to britain as volunteers. families of those who served at raf hunmanby in east yorkshire, hope to change this by creating a memorial that recognises their contribution. the bbc�*s leanne brown has been finding out more. the sacrifices made by british servicemen and women during world war ii are well documented and recognised. but thousands of volunteers who came over from other places like the west indies seem to have been forgotten. edwin samuels and gil marlaska were among thousands who made the journey from the caribbean to england, serving at raf hunmanby, on the east yorkshire coast. family members have been campaigning for a plaque to be placed inside the war memorial gardens in filey, but the council won't allow it. we want this plaque really to serve as a reminder to all people

of the contribution made to the war effort by people of colour. there are many young people today who simply don't know that their forebears came to this country long before windrush and helped in the war effort. alfred gardner was an raf mechanic who came over from jamaica and, after the war, he stayed here. when we went to filey, it was the first time... 90% of people had seen black people. so many lads. so many of us passed through filey. it is very, very important that people remember and, you know, there were beautiful days and there were rough days. the design of the plaque in memory of those who served is ready, but it had no home until a local resident stepped in to help. i'm glad to say we've had a fantastic response from people all over the country, but particularly from people from filey, may of whom didn't know about this history and certainly didn't know about our campaign. one lady in particular has come forward, and she owns property in filey and she has kindly allowed

us to put the plaque on her property. and i can say it's going to have a fantastic location, just on the cliff path. the plaque will be unveiled in april, finally honouring those who crossed oceans to help britain. leanne brown, bbc news. more than 500 ufos have reportedly been spotted by us troops. a new de—classified us government document shows that the us national intelligence agency is now aware of 510 reported sightings — nearly half of the new sightings were deemed unremarkable — but more than 100 of them remain unexplained. a reminder of our top story: iran has executed a british—iranian man on charges of spying for the uk. alireza akbari, who was iran's deputy defence minister, was detained in 2019. he'd denied passing sensitive

information to the british government, and said he was forced to confess after being tortured. you are watching bbc news. hello. through the past week our focus has very much been on the wet weather across the uk. on into the new week we will switch our focus away from the rain to colder air flooding in from the arctic. chillier air has already started to slide its way south across the uk even through saturday daytime. but the properly cold arctic air still sits further north of this darker blue shade that will sink its way south late sunday in to monday, and our temperatures will plummet for a time. we still have the legacy of all of that rain to contend with. currently, though, numerous flood warnings in place, updates to that are available on our website. but some of the heavier and more persistent rain will shift away as we look at the second half of the weekend. low pressure still close by to the northeast is going

to keep things windy through the evening and overnight. there's some more rain to come for scotland. and increasingly as the cold air digs in, we'll see that turning to snow, perhaps some snow across the lake district into the pennines by the end of the night. and there will be a risk of frost and ice, too, across parts of scotland. further south, thanks to the strength of the wind i think will hold the frost at bay. but gales for the south west of scotland and to the north of northern ireland, as i said, a frost for many parts of scotland. elsewhere we slide down the lower end of the single figure scale. but remember that arctic air that still sitting away to the far north of the uk. so it will be showers of rain that sink across england and wales through sunday morning. many fizzling out. the winds generally lighter through sunday, but some showers still being carried in on the northerly wind to the far north of scotland. our temperatures down on saturday. we're looking at highs of seven and eight to the south of the uk, just three or four across northern scotland. sunday night into monday, though, things start to get rather more interesting. the showers to the north become more frequent and then some weather

systems pumping in from the south potentially meeting the colder air could set us up for some problems early on on monday, very cold across scotland, perhaps minus ten in the odd spot in the shelter, and then a couple of systems set to run their way to the south of the uk, into the colder air through monday and tuesday. look like they could be quite big forecasting headaches for us during that early part of the new week as there is the potential for some snow and notjust on the higher ground to the south of wales and across southern england, we are certain of that is colder as we go into the new week.

this is bbc news. the headlines: iranian state media says british—iranian dual national alireza akbari has been executed on charges of spying for the uk, which he denied. britain's prime minister rishi sunak calls it a �*callous and cowardly act'. the uk has confirmed it will provide challenger 2 tanks to ukraine during a call with president volodymyr zelensky. it comes as russian forces launched a series of missile attacks across the country including the capital, kyiv. brazil's supreme court will investigate the role of the former president, jair bolsonaro, in the storming of government buildings by his supporters last weekend. arrest warrants have been issued for a host of top officials takeaways, restaurants, and cafes in england will have

to stop using plastic cutlery, plates, and bowls from october this year as part of a new government plan to tackle plastic pollution.